1 Samuel 2:25 Meaning and Explanation
“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Eli warns that sin against God leaves no one to mediate, yet his sons would not listen, for the Lord had purposed to judge them.
What Does 1 Samuel 2:25 Mean?
Eli reasons with his sons: when a person sins against another, a judge can settle the matter, but who can plead for one who sins against the Lord himself? It is a solemn warning about the weight of their offense. Yet they would not listen.
The text says they did not heed their father 'because the LORD would slay them.' Their persistent hardness had brought them to a point where judgment was now set. The verse holds together human stubbornness and God's righteous response without explaining away either. It is a sobering picture of sin grown ripe, and a warning to heed correction while the heart can still be turned.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 2:25
What does 1 Samuel 2:25 mean?
Eli warns that sin against God leaves no one to mediate, yet his sons would not listen, for the Lord had purposed to judge them.